KUALA LUMPUR - An Italian restaurant in Jalan Raja Chulan here has been critically-acclaimed for being one of the top 10 Best Pizzerias in all of Asia.
The restaurant, Luce Osteria Contemporanea, was listed in the Top 10 Asia 2020 category, according to the Italy-based '50 Top Pizza 2020' awards, the fourth edition of the renowned online guide in the sector.
The rankings were endorsed by the Prosecco DOC Consortium, an international organisation that unites different groups of manufacturers such as wineries, individual and associated vine-growers, still wine and sparkling wine producers.
While Hong Kong-based restaurant, CIAK – In The Kitchen, clinched the top spot for the Asia category, Luce Osteria Contemporanea was the only Italian restaurant from Malaysia to have made the list.
The announcement of the winner was live streamed on 50 Top Pizza 2020 social media channels on September 29.
Other nominees included Bottega Pechino in China, Cicheti in Singapore, Extra Virgin Pizza in Singapore, and Nonna Nella by Lenzi in Bangkok, Thailand, among others.
Surprise entry
Luce Osteria Contemporanea founder Roberto Guiati, 40, said he did not expect to have been included in the list as the restaurant did not submit any entry to take part in the awards.
"I did not know about the website, 50 Top Pizza, before this. A guest sent me a message to congratulate me, so it was a surprise," he told the Vibes when met today.
Guiati, who is the husband of Malaysian celebrity and businesswoman, Kavita Sidhu, said he was also proud to have Kuala Lumpur mentioned among entries from other countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand.
On what makes his pizzaria stand out from the rest in Malaysia, Guiati said it was due to the authenticity of the ingredients which were all imported from Italy, the specialised wood oven used to bake the delicacy, as well as the skill of the chef.
Guiati, the owner of the Zenzero Group of restaurants which includes Zenzero Restaurant & Wine Bar and Cicchetti di Zenzero, said the nominated restaurant has over 60 types of pizzas on the menu ranging from classic to gourmet pizzas, and those with seasonal and regional ingredients from Italy.
Soon, he is expected to launch a new restaurant, Roberto's, in Bangsar Shopping Complex, aided by investment from Petra Group, which has recently bought stakes in all three existing fine dining establishments.
He also attributed the success to lead chef, Christian Grandi, who designed the pizzas with suitable ingredients from specific regions in Italy combined with local ingredients as well.
"I think it is also due to the variety and authenticity of the flour, tomatoes, and mozzarellas which are all imported."
Guiati said much of the ingredients were sourced from his hometown of Ferrara, which is situated in the northern region of the European country.
The 50 Top Pizza 2020 also recognized Italy-based eatery, I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci, as being the best pizzeria in Italy and in the world followed by Franco Pepe’s Pepe in Grani (in Caiazzo) in second place, and imone Padoan’s I Tigli (in San Bonifacio) in third place.
Other awards were also conferred for the top pizzerias in Japan, Canada, Asia and Oceania.
However, the awards did not list best pizzerias in the USA, South America and Africa due to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. - The Vibes, October 10, 2020
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